health care reform Archives - Steinlage Insurance Agency

Important Updates Today Cigna announced a new collaborative partnership with BJC HealthCare and Washington University Physicians. This announcement represents an expansion of Cigna’s product offerings in Missouri, both on- and off- the public marketplace. This collaboration will give customers who enroll in Cigna Individual and Family Plans access to care provided primarily by the region’s leading health care organizations – BJC HealthCare and Washington University Physicians. The network will also include Barnes-Jewish Hospital and St. Louis Children’s Hospital and the more than 1,300 Washington University primary care doctors and specialists affiliated with these hospitals. The network will also include the additional 10 hospitals and four service organizations that are part of BJC HealthCare. You can read more about this collaboration here. We are excited about this collaboration with BJC HealthCare and Washington University Physicians and look forward to providing you with new solutions for your customers in Missouri. Contact the…

Tuesday afternoon I sat in my office with a cup of piping hot coffee and reviewed the onslaught of mailers and solicitations that had been piled on my desk. About halfway through my coffee I uncovered a solo postcard; a reminder that I am due for my annual “Well-Woman” exam, a once-a-year visit to a woman’s primary care provider for a general health check. Not only did my doctor’s simple encouragement motivate me to make an appointment, it also stirred my curiosity. Why did we go from a society that only visits the doctor when sick to one that visits regardless of our state of health. Furthermore, how does this affect my client, the Medicare beneficiary? Why did we go from a society that only visits the doctor when sick to one that visits regardless of our state of health. The most recent push for preventive medicine, i.e., annual check-ups, came with…

An interesting aspect of the upcoming health care reform is how expansive it is. Health care really touches and affects many different parts of our lives. It is going to be an interesting time in the next few months and years to see how this ultimately shapes our health care consumption as a nation. At the same time, we are seeing how these new rules affect different segments of the population BEFORE they even begin. Take the Obama “Cadillac Tax” which is expected provide $80 billion to the federal government over the next decade, according to a Congressional Budget Office report issued in May. Here is how the Cadillac tax works: If an employer-provided health insurance policy costs more than $10,200 for an individual, the employer will be taxed 40%of what’s considered an “excess benefit,” according to insurer Aetna. The tax kicks in for $27,500 in spending on family coverage….

Starting in 2014, the Health Care Reform will roll out new plans with a simpler theme and easier to understand benefits. Each offering will follow the Bronze, Silver, and Gold theme of the Olympics with one additional metal being the highest level, Platinum. Here is a breakdown: Bronze- Lowest monthly premium, on average should cover about 60% of a person’s total health costs. Silver – Still a low premium, should cover about 70% of a person’s total health costs. Gold – Higher premium, should cover about 80% of a person’s total health costs. Platinum – Highest premium, should cover about 90% of a person’s total health costs. While the metal designation is designed to identify different plans, it is important to note that this is just an outline. Generally, bronze plans should have the lowest premium and platinum the highest, but prices and deductible amounts will vary widely. Bronze plans…